Looking at a sunk boat project(freshwater)

[h20junkie]

I'm looking at buying a 94 CHRIS CRAFT 21 CONCEPT BOWRIDER with the ford 302 that sunk last year in a windstorm. The boat was raised and gotten running at that time. However its been sitting outside since that time. It doesn't look to bad. Mostly i'm thinking the main thing its going to need is electrical and some interior work. It has not been covered. I've done some motorcycle and auto restoration work and have a background in home maintenance and remodeling. Any thought and considerations would be highly appreciated.

[jonesg]

Is the engine frozen now?
Put a socket wrench on the crankpulley bolt.
Was it parked bow high or left to become a pool?
a lot depends on the price too.

If the engine is no obstacle then its a matter of getting beneath deck and getting the water out. Checking the stringers and transom for water.
If the engine is shot, add several more grand for power.

Nice that they got it going but did they fill the block with antifreeze and spray the cylinders with foggin oil?

I bought my boat full of snow.!
Stringers and transom were gonzo, but its a 1974.

[Mark42]

You have the right idea. All electric should be replaced, and the steering and throttle/shift control and cables (although the control itself might just need a cleaning.)

The worst bit of info is that is sat outside for a year. Almost worse than being sunk. Its been rained in, maybe snow, could be freeze damage, could be water soaked flotation foam, all upholstry is probably soaked and needs replacing.

If it's free, it could make a nice project.

[h20junkie]

It has been rained in with snow and ice. We had the bad ice storm here last winter. Its actually been a little less than a year since it went over.. It was the wind storm from hurricane Ike that swept across the east coast in September 08 that took it down. I'm located in Ky on the Ohio river. I'll check things out a little further and see if i can get some pictures as well. He's wanting 2500.00 with trailer and title and he's going to walk me through fixing it up with his connections as well as let me keep it in his lot to work on it. He deals with boats for a living. The interior looks good and is intact other than the facts the seats floated away so they would need to be replaced.

[proshadetree]

Sound high to me.Unless it just sharp as a nail and needs cleaning up.

[Bubba1235]

It has been rained in with snow and ice. We had the bad ice storm here last winter. Its actually been a little less than a year since it went over.. It was the wind storm from hurricane Ike that swept across the east coast in September 08 that took it down. I'm located in Ky on the Ohio river. I'll check things out a little further and see if i can get some pictures as well. He's wanting 2500.00 with trailer and title and he's going to walk me through fixing it up with his connections as well as let me keep it in his lot to work on it. He deals with boats for a living. The interior looks good and is intact other than the facts the seats floated away so they would need to be replaced.

Here is how I see it. If he deals with boats for a living, he knows its going to take more to restore the boat than it will ever be worth. That would be the reason for selling to you.

Let's see, an "iffy" engine (190 HP), known bad seating/upholstery/carpet, questionable deck/stringers, electrical replacement, control cables, OMC Cobra Drive, and whatever else you find, these are just the known issues.

I'd say pass.

[jonesg]

I could buy a GOOD boat with good running engine for that lolly.

For $800-1K...maybe...

Start looking on craigslist, theres lots of desperate sellers.

[Mark42]

I don't care how much the seller promises to help, let you use his property, etc. $2500 is a lot of money for a 15 year old 21' BOWRIDER that was sunk,parts floated away and then froze full of water and snow while it sat uncovered for a year.

Bowriders are the cheapest models going.

Take the $2500, and the additional $3000 (minimum) that you would sink into this boat, and go buy a good, ready to run boat.

[scoutabout]

For what it's worth comparison-wise, I sold a sunk 1996 SeaRay 170 w/ 3.0 Mercruiser to a buddy for $1000 including a good trailer. That was two years ago.

He spent another few hundred fixing it up again. However, that was after it was pulled out of the water immediately, drained, given several oil changes, run for awhile, given another oil change then put under cover until he could take her away. He got it running great with nothing more than disassembly of all electrical components and instruments for cleaning, a new bilge pump, starter and blower. The biggest pita was taking apart all the seats and upholstered interior bits, drying out the foam and reassembling everything again. He did a great job though.

Post salvage pics...





Anyway, my take is he's asking way too much for what you're getting. Granted it's a bigger boat with more motor but the condition it was left in before you got it could well have done more damage than the sinking (as others have stated). IF he could prove the motor is still good I'd offer no higher than the grand I charged and see what he says.

[Rickairmedic]

H20 where you located at ( on the Ohio in Ky ) is a big area . I am in Louisville ( PRP ) specifically.


Rick

[h20junkie]

Thanks for all the info. I want back and looked at it again today. I'm passing and will keep looking. Rickairmedic, I'm in Louisville as well. You know of any good deals?

[legoman67]

my dad has been there done that, he started with a 23 ft sunk searay that then sat uncovered on afew tires for a year after. He ended up having to get the engine rebuilt as well as a full transom, stringer, fuel tank job... if you are looking for a deal it is not worth it, if you like the style and want a project, then i wouldnt pay more then 1000 for it in as is condition